Three problems related to alternator/generator/regulator have been reported for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu based on all problems reported for the 2010 Malibu.
I was stopped,went to accelerate,and sudden hard shift as it accelerated. After a few miles,lost all gears after 2nd gear. On interstate at time when lost gears & close to getting into major accident. Took it to asc certified mechanic to learn that the transmission failed,wiring from battery to started burned up,battery failurem alternator failed, and ecm failed as well. Repair cost approx $4600. 00. Service airbag light & check engine light on also & p0013 code. Looked up veh history, shows recalls on some of this were supposedly performed, but hard to believe. 6 speed transmission, so gm won't honor.
I was involved in a hit and run back in March 2017 the person backed into the pass-side of my car as I was driving 35 mph down the main road , the side impact airbag did not deploy from impact , the dealership said this is not a takata issue as they were replaced by the current recall and they don't know why they didn't deploy . The electrical issue is the onstar response system didn't detect the crash and call for help- I had to push the button to get help . The car can not get directions sent to it from onstar and the electrical keeps failing/loosing power and I was told to replace the batter and alternator but it still does it and the wires r fine . Dealership told me to replace the computer control system but seems their guessing and I don't have $1,200 around to do it . The side impact airbag should of deployed and the onstar sensor should of detected it and called for help.
I was stopped at a stop sign to turn and when I accelerated a quick flash of the service ecm message came on and then disappeared, but the car stalled out in the middle of the intersection. When I tried to restart the car, it would turnover, run for 2 seconds and then die. I had the car towed to my house, where we charged the battery and took it over to autozone to have the electronics scanned, where it showed 3 codes: u0121, p0106, p0621. They scanned the battery and alternator, and all came up with a clean bill of health (so to speak). Upon reading online it looks like this was an issue in Malibu's 2004-2009 (which was recalled), and I believe they never fixed the issue and now 2010's may be affected. My worry is that this will happen again and it will be at a busier intersection or worse yet, on the highway.